초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Carboxylic acid production from food waste by mixed culture fermentation is an important future waste management option. Obstacles for its implementation are the need of pH control, and a broad fermentation product spectrum leading to increased product separation costs. To overcome these obstacles, the selective production of lactic acid (LA) from model food waste by uncontrolled pH fermentation was tested using different reactor configurations. Batch experiments, semi-continuously fed reactors and a percolation system reached LA concentrations of 32, 16 and 15gCOD<SUB>LA</SUB>/L, respectively, with selectivities of 93%, 84% and 75% on COD base, respectively. The semi-continuous reactor was dominated by <I>Lactobacillales.</I> Our techno-economic analysis suggests that LA production from food waste can be economically feasible, with LA recovery and low yields remaining as major obstacles. To solve both problems, we successfully applied in-situ product extraction using activated carbon.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Selective lactic acid production by mixed cultures was successfully achieve. </LI> <LI> 3 Different reactor configuration were tested for selective lactic acid production. </LI> <LI> Semi-continuous mode reached 93% lactic acid selectivity 32gCOD/L of lactic acid. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>